Traffic control sign

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an improved traffic control sign. More particularly, it relates to a sign which contains a plurality of panels which are hinged together to expose a message in one position and to hide that message and/or expose a second message in the other position.

ite States Patent [191 Downing 1 Nov. 19, 1974 TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN [76]Inventor: Donald M. Downing, 4408 S. 41st W. Ave., Tulsa, Okla. 74107[22] Filed: May 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 362,894

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.277,668, Aug. 3,

1972, Pat. N0. 3,741,147.

[52] US. Cl. 116/63 R, 40/35, 116/114,

340/130 [51] int. Cl EOlf 9/10 [58] Field of Search 116/63 R, 63 P, 114;

40/35, 77.6, 72, 104, 104 A, 125 F, 125 H, 125 J, 145 R;340/124,127, 130

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,294,130 2/1919 Tough 40/352,194,818 3/1940 Book 116/63 P X 2,624,307 l/1953 Caffrey 40/72 X2,887,085 5/1959 Aiken 3,394,674 7/1968 Downing 116/63 R PrimaryExaminerLouis J. Capozi Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Head & Johnson 5 7]ABSTRACT This invention relates to an improved traffic control sign.More particularly, it relates to a sign which contains a plurality ofpanels which are hinged together to expose a message in one position andto hide that message and/or expose a second message in the otherposition.

12 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEL flaw/ 3.848.562

, SHEEI 3 OF 3 1 TRAFFIC, CONTROL SIGN CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTAND APPLICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is in thefield of improved traffic con- I trol signs. More particularly, theinvention relates to a sign for use in traffic control or the like,including means whereby upon actuation, the sign unfolds one or morehinged wings or panels to display a traffic directory signal, and uponsubsequent actuation, folds the wing, or wings, to conceal the messageor'to display a different message. In the prior art as represented by myU.S. Pat. No. 3,394,674, a motor is provided to actuate the rotation oftwo wing panels which are attached .at either side of a centralrectangular panel so that when the wings are opened a prerecordedmessage is visible, and when the wing panels are closed, that is, foldedover in contiguous position across the front of the central panel themessage is covered. In general, the wings are preferably approximatelyhalf the width of the central panel, so that in the closed position noportion of the face of the panel is visible. As will be indicated inthis application the device may consist of more than two hinged panelsfor the preparation of large message areas.

SUMMARY. OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of this invention toprovide a means by which the side or wing panels can be actuated bymotor means as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,394,674, but to provide a flexibilityin the operating means so that vandals who attempt to open the wingsafter the motor has closed them, will be prevented from breaking thefastening of the wings to the hinge shaft and vice versa when the wingsare open. It will permit movement of the wings without breaking any partof the mechanism.

In the prior invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,394,674, andapplication Ser. No. 277,668, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,147, a chainmember operates a sprocket which is attached firmly to the hinge shaft,to which the wing panels are fastened. when the motor drive turns thesprocket and the shaft, the wing panel will be either in an openposition or closed position. Torque applied to the wing panel wouldthereforeibe transmitted directly to the drive mechanism which becauseof its construction, did not permit rotation of the hinge shaft.

In this invention the sprocket rotates freely on the hinge shaft so thatthe motor drive simply operates the sprocket. There is a radial armwhich is fastened to the sprocket and turns with it. There is a secondradial arm which is spaced longitudinally from the first radial armwhich is fastened rigidly to the hinge shaft. A helical spring surroundsthe hinge shaft in the space between the two radial arms. .One end ofthe spring operatively presses against the first arm and the second endof the spring operatively presses against the second arm. As thesprocket is turned bythe drive motor, the first arm turns with thesprocket causing the first end of the spring to more with it. The secondend of the spring, because of the torque in the spring, moves in thesame direction. This causes the second arm to move and therefore torotate the wing shaft and with it the wing panel. In this constructionsince the wing panel is not connected rigidly to the sprocket of thedrivemotor, it can be forced to rotate against the torque of the helicalspring. Therefore, when undue pressure is applied to the wing panel,causing it to be rotated with the wing shaft or hinge shaft, it canrotate without breaking any part of the mechanism. The torque of thespring is sufficient so that the wing panels will follow the rotation ofthe sprocket as in the earlier invention. However, when undue force isoffered against rotation the drive means can rotate without breaking anyconnection between the sprocket and the wing panel.

In the prior copending application Ser. No. 277,668, now U.S. Pat. No.3,74I ,147, the operation of the sprockets is by means of a chain whichlinks the sprockets. The chain is driven by a hinged arm which iscontrolled by a crank arm on a motor shaft. As the chain is transportedlongitudinally the two sprockets are turned and with them thecorresponding hinged panels.

In this application there are shown some improvements in construction ofthe spring-controlled-hingesprocket system, but principally theimprovement lies in the drive means between the hinge shafts or wingshafts and the drive motor. These are arranged by means of rack andpinion drives, or gear drives, involving a large gear sector rotating incontact with a small gear on the hinge shafts, the larger gearscontrolled by means of the crank shaft driven by the motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of theinvention and a better understanding of the principles and details ofthe invention will be evident from the following description taken inconjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 represent plan and elevation views of the drive mechanismof this invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates in cross section the details of the drive system forone wing panel.

FIG. 4 is taken from prior art U.S. Pat. No. 3,379,674, and shows thegeneral configuration of the sign.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 show various configurations of rack andpinion drives for the wing panel hinge shafts.

FIG. 12 indicates the use of the chain and sprocket system for a largerplurality of binge shafts.

FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 indicate a plurality of embodimentsinvolving gear sectors and pinions in conjunctions with crank arms torotate the hinge shafts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 4 whichrepresents the prior art as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,394,674, thesign of this invention is indicated generally by the numeral 10. Thesign is supported on a post 12 or by other means. It consists basicallyof a rectangular vertically supported planar center panel 14 presentinga sign bearing face on one side thereof, adaptable to have a portion ofthe traffic control message printed thereon.

There are first and second rectangular planar wing panels 16A and 168each pivotally supporting at a vertical edge to the two oppositevertical edges of the center panel, at hinges 13A and 13B. An actuatingmechanism is contained in a covered enclosure 18 on top of the sign.This mechanism rotates the wing panels 16A and 168 to a first positionshown in FIG. 4 where they are coplanar with the center panel 14, todisplay a traffic control message printed across the three coplanarpanels 16A, 14 and 16B. The second position is not illustrated but isthe condition where the wing panels are rotated 180 about their hingededges 13A, 13B, and are folded over, in contiguous parallel positionswith the center panel. In general, the width of the wing panels 16A, 16Bis substantially one-half the width of the center panel 14, so that thetwo wing panels completely cover and hide the message printed on theinner faces of the three panels.

As will be shown later in connection with other figures, thisapplication cover variations of the design of FIG. 4 wherein there are aplurality of spaced-apart fixed panels, with hinged panels in between.The assembly may also be simply a plurality of spaced hinged panels sothat when they are exposed in one position they will show one messageand after being turned 180 they will expose a second message and so on.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are substantially the same as the correspondingly numberedfigures in application Ser. No. 277,668, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,147.Since that application is made a part of this application by reference,the full detail of the construction of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2will not be repeated and reference is made to the application Ser. No.277,668, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,417.

Very briefly, there are two hinge assemblies or systems, indicatedgenerally by the numeral 15, mounted at opposite ends of the top plate23 of the housing 18. The construction of these hinge assemblies isshown in FIG. 3 and will be described in detail. In the priorapplication there are sprockets A and 30B mountd on each of the hingeunits which are connected by chain 32 with corresponding mechanicallinks 35A, 35B, 34B, 32A, etc. which are controlled by the rotating arm42 which is controlled by the link 48 from a crank pin 50 on a discwhich is driven by motor 36 through shaft 38.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is a tubular bushing 70 which is fastened bymeans 72 to the plane 23 which forms the base of the housing 18. Thisbushing 70 forms an inner bearing surface for the support of the hingeshaft, or wing shaft 74, which drives the wing panels by means ofthreaded holes 76 and screws, etc., not shown. Also, rotating on theoutside surface of the bushing 70 is a sprocket 30 pinned by 79 to arm78. There is a squared portion 86 on the top end of the hinge shaft 28,which drives an arm 82, 88 which is held in position by screw 81. Thereis a tube 71 rotatable on bushing 70 which supports a helical spring 90,which has two ends 92 and 94. which extend in substantially the samedirection from the axis and press on opposite sides of the two arms 78and 88. If one arm, 78', rotates with respect to the other arm 88, ittends to drive one end or the other, 92 or 94, and to spread the ends ofthe helical spring. This will apply toraue to the other end 94 or 92, asthe case may be, and cause the second arm to follow the rotation of thefirst arm.

This action is similar to the assemblies shown in FIG. 3 of theapplication Ser. No. 277,668, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,147, but has asimplified and improved construction.

Reference will now be made to the drawings 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11which represent a number of different configurations in which the hingeshafts 74 are driven in rotation, either clockwise or counterclockwise,by means of a plurality of linear gear racks, such as 55A, 55B, cut on alinear member 51, and running in contact with pinions 30A and 30B,supported on the spring assemblies 15. The linear member 51 is guided bymeans of pins or rollers 53 so as to move longitudinally, and remain inoperative contact with the pinions. These pins or rollers are indicatedin some of the views. However, whether shown or not, some such guidingmeans as that shown in FIG. 5, for example, well known in the art, isunderstood to be present in each of the FIGS. 5-11.

In FIG. 6 the linear member 51' differs from that 51 in FIG. 5, in thatthe racks 56A and 56B are cut on opposite edges of the member 51. Thus,as it moves longitudinally in one direction the pinions 30A and 30B arerotated opposite directions, whereas in FIG. 5 they were rotated in thesame direction. In both FIGS. 5 and 6 the linear member 51, 51' can bemoved longitudinally by means of a pivoted arm 49 hinged at axis 46, anddriven by crank arm 48 from the disc 40 driven by the motor. The contactbetween arm 49 and the member 51 can be a direct mechanical contactwhereby the arm 49 fits into a slot or similar means on the member 51,or it can be through the medium of springs 41 tied, each with one end onthe member 51, and the other end at point 45 on the arm 49.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 there is a similar situation between the two figures,as between FIGS. 5 and 6, in that in FIG. 7 the hinge shafts rotate inopposite in directions, whereas in FIG. 8 they rotate in the samedirection. The drive is by direct contact between the arm 48 and themoving member 58 in FIG. 7 and 58 in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8 the arm 48operates on a rigid side arm 54 attached to the member 58 at point 59.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11, there is great similarity of FIG. 10 withrespect to FIG. 7, and FIG. 11 with respect to FIG. 8, in that alternatehinge shafts rotate in opposite directions in FIG. 10, and the samedirection in FIG. 11. In FIG. 10 the member 58" is a summation of aplurality of members 58 of FIG. 7. Similarly, the member 51" is aplurality of members such as 58' of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 differs slightly from these other figures although it operates onthe same rack and pinion principle. There is a hinged arm 62, rotatingabout pivot 63, and there are two members 68 and 69 which carry gearracks 73A and 73B respectively which mesh with pinions 30A and 30B. Byrotation of the wheel 40 this arm 62 rotates about the hinge point 63,moves the racks in opposite directions and causes rotation of thepinions in opposite directions.

FIG. 12 indicates schematically a situation similar to that of the chainsystem in FIG. 1 except that it operates with a larger plurality ofsprockets and of hinge shafts 74. Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 17 thereare a plurality of assemblies in which a pinion is mounted on each ofthe hinge shafts 74. These are driven by gear disc 40. In FIG. 13 thetwo sectors rotate in the same direction simultaneously. In FIG. 14 thetwo arms 48A and 48B are driven in opposite directions by mean of thegears 26A and 26B driven by pinion 24 on the motor shaft.

FIGS. 14 and 15, while they have essentially the same apparatus, have adifferent starting point so that whereas FIG. 14 operates the twopinions in opposite directions, FIG. 15 operates them in the samedirection. By relatively rotating pinion 263 by 180 the same operatingcondition is obtained as in FIG. 14. FIG. 15 is similar in operatingcharacteristics to FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 13 in that, in effect, a single link 25 whichis substantially the same length as links 48A and 48B together, connectsthe two gear sectors A and 208. The system is driven by a crank arm 48from the disc 40.

FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16 except that the arm is connected to thesector 20A at a point 27A which is on the opposite side of the pivot 22Athan is the point 278. Thus, as the crank disc rotates, and arm 48 pullsthe point 27B in an oscillating manner, the two gear sectors 20A and 20Bwill rotate in opposite directions and the pinions will rotate inopposite directions.

While a number of examples of drives utilizing linear gear racks andcurved gear racks, or gear sectors, have been shown, controlled by crankarms and crank means, it will be clear that there are other possibleexamples of such mechanisms, and those which are indicated are simplyshown as samples of possible mechanism. It is intended in thisapplication to cover any operating system whereby a motor driven crankshaft rotating substantially 180 will operate the hinge shafts of aplurality of panels in a corresponding manner through angles of 180, orthereabouts.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity it is manifest that many changes may be made in thedetails of construction and the arrangement of components. It isunderstood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments set forth herein by way of exemplifying the invention, butthe invention is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claimor claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each elementor step thereof is entitled.

What is claimed:

1. In a traffic control sign including:

a first rectangular planar panel and means to support said first panelin a vertical position;

at least a second rectangular vertical planar panel,

means to rotatably support said second panel at a vertical edge thereofto a vertical edge of said first panel, said second panel rotatable;

means to support electric motor means on said first panel;

means to support a support plate on said first panel and means tojournal wing shaft means in said support plate, said second panelattached to said wing shaft means;

means to rotatably mounted wing shaft drive means about said wing shaft;

drive means operatively connected between said motor and said wing shaftdrive means;

means for controllably starting and stopping said motor, wherein uponenergization of said motor in one instance said wing shaft and saidrotatable panel are rotated in one direction, and upon subsequentenergization of said motor in a seocnd instance they are rotated in theopposite direction; the improvement comprising: spring drive meansoperatively connected between said wing shaft drive means and said wingshaft means comprising: i a. a first radial arm attached to said wingshaft drive means, said wing shaft drive means rotating freely coaxialwith said wing-shaft; b. a second radial arm, spaced along said wingshaft from said first arm, attached to said wing shaft;

c. helical spring means surrounding said wing shaft in the space betweensaid radial arms, first and second ends of said spring means operativelyconnected to said first and second arms; whereby when said wing shaftdrive means is actuated, said first arm will rotate, causing one end ofsaid spring to be rotated, causing said second end of said spring to berotated in the same direction, and causing said second arm to berotated, causing said wing shaft and said rotatable panel to be rotated.

2. A traffic control sign as in claim 1 including two rotatable panels,and means to rotatably supported each panel at one vertical edge thereofto opposite vertical edges of said support panel.

3. The traffic control sign as in claim 1 including more than two spacedhinged rotatable panels.

4. A traffic control sign according to claim 2 includmg:

a traffic control message imprinted on the back surfaces of said tworotatable panels, whereby when said rotatable panels are closed uponsaid supported panel, said traffic control message imprinted upon theback surface of said rotatable panels is displayed.

5. A traffic control sign according to claim 1 wherein said means ofcontrollably starting and stopping said motor includes:

switch means having electrical connection with said motor; and

cam means driven by said motor actuating said switch means in responseto the angular position to said wing shaft drive means.

6. The traffic sign as in claim 1 in which said wing shaft drive meansincludes sprocket and chain means.

7. A traffic control sign according to claim 6 wherein said drive meanscoupling said motor and said wing shaft drive means includes:

rocker arm means pivotally supported at one end and affixed to a chainmeans coupling said sprocket means, at the other end, whereby thepivotation of said rocker arm transports said chain;

crank shaft means extending from and rotated by said motor; and

connecting arm means having one end pivotally affixed to said crankshaft means and the other affixed 'to said rocker arm means.

8. The traffic sign as in claim 1 wherein said wing shaft drive meansincludes pinion means.

9. The traffic sign as in claim 8 wherein said drive means coupling saidmotor and said wing shaft drive means includes linear rack means.

10. The traffic sign as in claim 8 wherein said drive rotate a pluralityof said wing shaft means in the same direction.

12. The traffic sign as in claim 8 including means to means CouplingSaid motor and said wing Shaft drive rotate more than two of said wingshaft means m oppomeans includes rotatable gear sector means.

11. The traffic sign as in claim 8 including means to site directions.

1. In a traffic control sign including: a first rectangular planar paneland means to support said first panel in a vertical position; at least asecond rectangular vertical planar panel, means to rotatably supportsaid second panel at a vertical edge thereof to a vertical edge of saidfirst panel, said second panel rotatable; means to support electricmotor means on said first panel; means to support a support plate onsaid first panel and means to journal wing shaft means in said supportplate, said second panel attached to said wing shaft means; means torotatably mounted wing shaft drive means about said wing shaft; drivemeans operatively connected between said motor and said wing shaft drivemeans; means for controllably starting and stopping said motor, whereinupon energization of said motor in one instance said wing shaft and saidrotatable panel are rotated in one direction, and upon subsequentenergization of said motor in a seocnd instance they are rotated in theopposite direction; the improvement comprising: spring drive meansoperatively connected between said wing shaft drive means and said wingshaft means comprising: a. a first radial arm attached to said wingshaft drive means, said wing shaft drive means rotating freely coaxialwith said wing shaft; b. a second radial arm, spaced along said wingshaft from said first arm, attached to said wing shaft; c. helicalspring means surrounding said wing shaft in the space between saidradial arms, first and second ends of said spring means operativelyconnected to said first and second arms; whereby when said wing shaftdrive means is actuated, said first arm will rotate, causing one end ofsaid spring to be rotated, causing said second end of said spring to berotated in the same direction, and causing said second arm to berotated, causing said wing shaft and said rotatable panel to be rotated.2. A traffic control sign as in claim 1 including two rotatable panels,and means to rotatably supported each panel at one vertical edge thereofto opposite vertical edges of said support panel.
 3. The traffic controlsign as in claim 1 including more than two spaced hinged rotatablepanels.
 4. A traffic control sign according to claim 2 including: atraffic control message imprinted on the back surfaces of said tworotatable panels, whereby when said rotatable panels are closed uponsaid supported panel, said traffic control message imprinted upon theback surface of said rotatable panels is displayed.
 5. A traffic controlsign according to claim 1 wherein said means of controllably startingand stopping said motor includes: switch means having electricalconnection with said motor; and cam means driven by said motor actuatingsaid switch means in response to the angular position to said wing shaftdrive means.
 6. The traffic sign as in claIm 1 in which said wing shaftdrive means includes sprocket and chain means.
 7. A traffic control signaccording to claim 6 wherein said drive means coupling said motor andsaid wing shaft drive means includes: rocker arm means pivotallysupported at one end and affixed to a chain means coupling said sprocketmeans, at the other end, whereby the pivotation of said rocker armtransports said chain; crank shaft means extending from and rotated bysaid motor; and connecting arm means having one end pivotally affixed tosaid crank shaft means and the other affixed to said rocker arm means.8. The traffic sign as in claim 1 wherein said wing shaft drive meansincludes pinion means.
 9. The traffic sign as in claim 8 wherein saiddrive means coupling said motor and said wing shaft drive means includeslinear rack means.
 10. The traffic sign as in claim 8 wherein said drivemeans coupling said motor and said wing shaft drive means includesrotatable gear sector means.
 11. The traffic sign as in claim 8including means to rotate a plurality of said wing shaft means in thesame direction.
 12. The traffic sign as in claim 8 including means torotate more than two of said wing shaft means in opposite directions.